Convertible seat



July 28, 1959 H. B. ASHWORTH CONVERTIBLE SEAT Filed Feb. 2, 1956 Helen a. Ashworrh IN V EN TOR.

Y wnwzsm United States Patent CONVERTIBLE SEAT Helen l8. Ashworth, Palo Alto, Calif.

Application February 2, 1956, Serial No. 562,995

8 Claims. (Cl. 155-453) This invention relates generally to furniture construction and is more particularly concerned with a foldable hassock which may be unfolded into a seat portion including a vertically extending back portion.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a foldable hassock, the upper surface portion of which providing a seating surface for the hassock and the upper seating surface for a foldable seat wherein said foldable seat includes a pair of foldable sections providing a back rest therefor.

A further object of the invention in conformance with that set forth above is to provide a foldable furniture unit comprised of three hinge sections which when folded into a first position provide a right triangular prism and being alternately unfoldable into a relatively low seat including a substantially vertical back rest.

Another object of the invention in conformance with that set forth above is to provide a furniture unit of the character set forth which is readily and economically manufactured, easily used, practical and satisfactory for the purposes intended.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the novel foldable hassock;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the novel foldable hassock when unfolded to provide a seat with a vertical back rest;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 2 showing one position of the lost motion hinges utilized in the foldable hassock; and

Figure '6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 5 but showing an alternate position of the lost motion hinges when the foldable hassock is folded into the position seen in Figure l.

The novel hassock is indicated generally at and comprises three separate sections 12, 14 and 16 which when folded into the position shown in Figure 1, define a geometrical solid generally described as a right triangular prism. The hassock shown in Figure 1 may be unfolded as seen in Figure 2 whereupon section 12 provides a seat portion, and sections 14 and 16 may be folded to provide a substantially longitudinal back rest portion whereafter the two sections may be pivoted together with respect to the section 12 to provide the back rest as seen in Figure 2.

As was clearly seen in Figure 3, section 12 includes a lower vertical forward portion 18 suitably connected to side portions 20 and 22, the side portions 20 and 22 ice having a lower angulated edge 24 terminating in a rear notch portion 26. The forward portion 18 and side portions 20 and 22 are suitably connected to an upper surface portion 28 and a suitable upholstering or cushioning material 30 may be applied thereto, the entire outer external surface of section 12 being covered by means of a suitable covering material 32 such as leather, plastic, etc.

Section 14 includes a forward portion 134 terminating in an upper edge 36 which comprises a continuation of the forward portion 18 of section 12, see Figure 3, said portion 34 being connected to suitable side members 36 and 38, the upper edge of which conforming to the edge 24 of section 12, and the bottom portion 40 of which providing part of the base of the foldable hassock. Side members 36 and 38 together with the portion 40 terminate in an internal upholstered portion '42 which provides a part of the vertical back of the seat as seen in Figure 2.

The lower rear edge 44 of section 12 has suitably secured thereto one side of a transverse hinge 46 the other side 48 of said hinge being suitably secured to section 14 of the hassock by means of suitable fastening screws 50, for example.

Section 16 includes a back portion 52 suitably connected to side portions 54 and 56 which are connected to a lower base portion 58 constituting a continuation of portion 40 of section 14 when the hassock is folded in the position shown in Figures 1 and 3. The sides 54 and 56 and the base portion 58 are suitably connected to an upholstered portion 60 which is juxtaposed on portion 42 when the hassock is folded, but which constitutes the upper portion of the vertical back rest when the hassock is unfolded into the seat as seen in Figure The upper end 62 of section 16 includes side portions 64 and 66 which engage in the notched out portion 26 of section 12 when the hassock is folded. This construction provides aninterlock for the three folding sections of the hassock and serves to retain the folded position when the unit is used as a hassock.

It will be noted that the forward portion 34 of section 14 has secured adjacent thereto two support leg elements 68 having extending feet portions 70, and when the section 14 isrotated in the direction indicated by the direction arrow 72 around hinge pin 84, the feet portions 70 rest on a support surface as seen in Figure 2. The inner end 74 of section 14 comprises a material such as wood whereby the fastening element 50 as well as the suitably conformed portion 48 of the hinge may be readily secured.

Sections 14 and 16 have secured on the respective adjacent side wall portions 36 and 54 and 3:8 and 56, lost motion hinge elements indicated generally at 76 which include hinge leaves or halves 78 and 80 which are pivotally connected by means of a transverse securing rivet 82 to the respective sides 36 and 54, and parallel sides 38 and 56. The lower ends of hinge halves 78 and 80 are pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin 84, and extending out of the surface 42 and 60 of the furniture unit when the hassock assumes the position of the seat shown in Figure 2, the hinge halves 78 and 80 include arcuate slots 86 and 88 respectively, extending therethrough, these slots 86 and 88 having a pin 90 extending therethrough and into the sides 38 and 56, said slots 86 and 88 permitting the edges 92 and 94 of the hinge halves 78 and 80, respectively, to pivot into overlapping relationship, as seen in Figure 5, whereby the upholstered portions 42 and 60 may assume the position shown in Figure 5 for defining the back rest of the seat of Figure 2.

In the alignment of sections 14 and 16 (with surfaces 40 and 58 resting against each other) the center line of pin 84 of hinge halves 78 and 80 must be in perfect alignment with surfaces 42 and 60 and must necessarily protrude beyond these surfaces.

. However, inaligning sections 14 and 16 with surfaces 42 and 6t) resting against each other, pin 84 of hinge halves 78 and 811) will have been retracted below the surfaces 41) and 58, thus preventing gouging any floor surface upon which the hassock is resting. This movement is accomplished by hinge halves 78 and 811 pivoting around hinge pins 82 with their travel being limited by the length of slots 86 and 88 in their movement about slot pins 91). The limit of this movement is very exacting as itlimits any tipping of sections 16 or attempt to part or open surfaces 40 and 58 When they are resting against each other.

It is to'be understood that section 16 is first pivoted in the direction of arrow 96 whereby base portions 40 and 58 are juxtaposed as seen at 98 whereafter sections 14 and 16 are pivoted about the hinge 46 in the direction of arrow 72 to assume the position shown in Figure 2.

Thus there has been disclosed a furniture unit which may be utilized both as a hassock for supporting the feet of an individual and sitting in an easy chair, for example, or the hassock may 'be unfolded into the position shown in Figure 2 whereafter said chair may be used by children or adults as a television viewing chair providing a substantial and comfortable back rest for the user.

Various positional directional terms such as front,

' rear, etc., are utilized here and have only a relative connotation to aid in describing the device and are not intended to require any particular orientation with respect to any external elements.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A furniture unit convertible between a hassock and chair comprising a first, .a second and a third section, said first section having a surface which constitutes a seat when the unit is arranged as a hassock or arranged as' a chair, said second and third units each having sides, an angulated surface at the front edges of said sides and which when said unit is arranged as a chair are coplanar, a hinge connecting the inner edge of said first section to the lower edge of said surface of said second section,

means including a hinge connecting said second and third sections together at'the junctions of said surfaces of said second and third sections so that said second and third sections are movable to a position with said surfaces superimposed on each other when said unit is adjusted to form a hassock, and said first section hingedly movable about said hinge to a position with the surface oppositesaid seat forming a surface superposed over the lower part of said second section.

2. The convertible furniture unit of claim 1 wherein said second section has a foot protruding from the lower edge thereof opposite to the edge at which the first mentioned hinge is secured, said first section having sides provided with a pocket within which said foot is disposed when said first section is hinged over said second section to form a hassock.

3. The convertible furniture unit of claim 2 wherein said firstunit has sides, notches in said sides, said third which partially supports said second section when the unit is arranged to form a chair, and said foot engageable within said first section when said first section is hingedly moved to the hassock forming position.

5. An article of furniture which is convertible between a hassock and a chair, said article of furniture comprising three sections, means hingedly securing a first of said sections to a second of said sections, means hingedly securing the second of said sections to the third of said sections, said first section constituting a seat while said second and third sections constitute a back rest whenfsaid unit is in the chair forming position, said second and third sections each having a surface Which isapproximately coplanar when in the chair forming position and which are approximately parallel and superposed when in the hassock forming position, and means for locking said first section to said second section when the unit is inthe hassock forming position.

6. An article of furniture which is convertible between a hassock and a chair, said article of furniture comprising three sections, means [hingedly securing a first of said sections to a second of said sections, means hingedly securing the second of said sections to the third of said sections, said first section constituting a seat while said second and third sections constitute a back rest when said unit is in the chair forming position, said second and third sections each having a surface which is approximately coplanar when in the chair forming position and which are approximately parallel and superposed when in t e hassock forming position, means for locking said first section to said second section when the unit is in the hassock forming position, and means for locking said first section to said third section when said unit is in the hassock forming position.

7. The unit of claim 5 wherein said locking means includes a foot carried by said second section and at least partially supporting said second section when said second section is in the chair forming position, and said foot engaged with said first section when in the hassock forming position.

8. The convertiblefurniture unit of claim 7 wherein there are additional locking means operatively associated with said first section and said third section and including structurally interfitted parts that are in engagement when said first and third sections are in the hassock forming position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 134,875 Fauk Jan. 14, 1873 449,460 Aumann Sept. 16, 1927 2,108,241 Wallace Feb. 15, 1938 2,291,806 Diehl Aug. 4, 1942 2,384,234 Breese Sept. 4, 1945 2,528,768 Marsh Nov. 7, 1950 2,593,319 Levitin et a1. Apr. 15, 1952 2,655,203 Wegner Oct. 13, 1953 2,692,639 Genovese c. Oct. 26, 1954 2,693,846 Luttio Nov. 9, 1954 

